EFFECTS OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL ON THE POULTRY ENTERPRISES IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The aftermath of fuel subsidy removal has resulted in closing a large number of poultry enterprises in Nigeria. This study assessed the effect of fuel subsidy removal on poultry farmers (layers and broilers) in Kogi State, Nigeria. Three-stages sampling procedure was used to select one hundred and sixty-two poultry farmers in the study area. Structured questionnaire complimented with interviews scheduled were used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed through frequency, percentages, and mean and Ordinary Least Square. Findings showed that 79.0% of the respondents were male, with a mean age of 45.8 years. Also, 92.6% of poultry farmers had formal education with a mean annual income of N175,780.00. The coefficient of cost of veterinary (-0.1313772), cost of water (-0.5497904), and cost of feeds ((-0.0231436) had effect on the income of poultry farmers. The most constraints faced by farmers in post-subsidy removal were increase in cost of production (X =2.93), inflation (X =2.67) and the high cost of transportation (X =2.57). It is recommended that palliatives inform of feed, medication, and free advisory services should be provided for poultry farmers in order to reduce the negative effect of subsidy removal.